997 Turbo in the Winter
#17
09-22-2009, 07:00 PM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New England
Posts: 1,627
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There's winter...and then there is WINTER.
My sister in Seattle complains when the temperature falls to 35. 35's a heat wave in Wisconsin.
If you use common sense, the 997TT is a fantastic winter car. If the snow is deep, and your suspension is lowered, and the street isn't plowed, AWD won't save you when your front radiator is caked with snow in the first 50 feet. Likewise, no snow tire is going to save you if you try and defeat the laws of physics when you drive...you still have an engine in the rear and the car will spin if you make it.
I used my 996TT and now 997TT in winter all the time. It's fun to drive, as long as you use common sense.
My sister in Seattle complains when the temperature falls to 35. 35's a heat wave in Wisconsin.
If you use common sense, the 997TT is a fantastic winter car. If the snow is deep, and your suspension is lowered, and the street isn't plowed, AWD won't save you when your front radiator is caked with snow in the first 50 feet. Likewise, no snow tire is going to save you if you try and defeat the laws of physics when you drive...you still have an engine in the rear and the car will spin if you make it.
I used my 996TT and now 997TT in winter all the time. It's fun to drive, as long as you use common sense.
thats what i figured...has to be better than my e60 m5 with snows...
#18
09-25-2009, 06:18 PM
Mine just doing fine. dont forget to set up winter tyres and set traction management system to the new settings. it is really fun to drive AWD in winter but don't get caught by it - although you will get advantage of AWD and the power, the breaking force is significantly lower! dont forget about this!
#19
09-26-2009, 04:59 AM
Hey, what do you mean when you recommend setting ptm for snow? Do you mean tire pressures, or is there actually another winter-specific setting?
#20
09-26-2009, 09:24 AM
There is a setting: PTM/Set/Summer or Winter Tires. Probably all it does is tells the system that a wider range of pressures is OK in winter and no need to go nuts as if all of them went flat.
#21
09-27-2009, 05:28 PM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: New England
Posts: 1,627
Rep Power: 80
i believe you are right...just makes it so the thing understands the temp ranges
#22
09-28-2009, 03:09 AM
I think its more than just temp range - it does reset PTM seeting and the system learns (while you are crusing for 3-5km) new tyres and how they behave on the road. i dont knoe for sure - the ptm lamp goes yellow then you change the tyres type and then in 5-10 min goes off...
#23
09-28-2009, 10:10 AM
Interesting note on Porsche documentation.... It's one of a few car makers that writes manuals in a "feature dump" mode. No "FYI" or "practical tips"
or "how to's". Ehhh, love them all dearly...
or "how to's". Ehhh, love them all dearly...
#24
09-28-2009, 11:36 AM
I recommend 997 C wheels in 18". It will open up a whole new realm of options for snow tires, and most will be significantly less expensive.
#25
12-04-2009, 01:31 PM
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
#26
12-04-2009, 02:38 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Age: 62
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#28
12-04-2009, 09:22 PM
Now what do I do with the contis...
#29
12-05-2009, 05:58 PM
Complete agreement. Go with 18"...more availability, cheaper, better performance.
First snow tonight. Was out in the Subaru, but the turbo is standing by with Pirelli 240's
Drive 'em in the snow, it's fun.
#30
12-06-2009, 12:32 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 165
Rep Power: 25
The PS2's are worthless in freezing temps. Put a set of Nokian N rated on the stock oem wheels. Bought 4 more TPMS sensors & put the stock PS2's on a set of black Champion's RS171's, & had both sets balanced . So I have 2 complete sets, one (OEM/Nokian's) for December-February & the Champions/PS2's for rest of the year. Bought a great jack & do the change out myself twice a year.
Car handles fine in the colder temps w/ the Nokians. Not as grippy as the PS2's in the warmth but very decent. A few inches of snow is no problem. IMO the Nok's are the best winter tire for the OEM sized wheel. W/ the stock 19" wheels, instead of 18's the car still looks right. But it is less expensive to get cheap 18's vs a set of high end custom 19's & use the stockers for winter. But either way, definitely rec. having 2 complete sets.
I don't purposely take the car out while it's already snowing, that's what SUV's are for but I also don't want to be limited to only using the Turbo in warm weather. This way during the winter if I'm at work or wherever & it starts to snow, got the snow shoes on the car & I'm good to go.... Highly rec. using the car yr round. Good luck.
Car handles fine in the colder temps w/ the Nokians. Not as grippy as the PS2's in the warmth but very decent. A few inches of snow is no problem. IMO the Nok's are the best winter tire for the OEM sized wheel. W/ the stock 19" wheels, instead of 18's the car still looks right. But it is less expensive to get cheap 18's vs a set of high end custom 19's & use the stockers for winter. But either way, definitely rec. having 2 complete sets.
I don't purposely take the car out while it's already snowing, that's what SUV's are for but I also don't want to be limited to only using the Turbo in warm weather. This way during the winter if I'm at work or wherever & it starts to snow, got the snow shoes on the car & I'm good to go.... Highly rec. using the car yr round. Good luck.